Today was my last day in Elms Village. Now I am writing from my home at Madrid and I think it is the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the whole group of friends we were at Belfast. Bringing together all the people again is quite unlikely. That is the reason had been so difficult to say good-bye each other.
The title of this song is connected with this idea: "There's nobody in town"
But we should look to the pasitive side of the coin. We enjoyed and learned and taught and partied so much and each other this time! And I am sure we are going to see each other again, maybe two or three each time. For example, I am coming to Belfast in April to make a demonstration of my project and I want to travel across Europe.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Flashbacks: Scotland
In the middle of November -from the 14th- Pasi and me made a 5-days trip to Scotland. It was a good chance to visit two of my friends, that this year are living in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Our flight was a Dublin-Edinburgh at 6:30 a.m. So we were traveling the whole night.
When we're just landed, Tonecas guided us to his house in which he lives with a lot of people. But it doesn't matter because it's a big building and his room is really good: two beds, own bathroom, own refrigerator...
A great luxury compared with our rooms in Elms Village and its shitty spring mattress. The difference is so big and we were so tired that we fall asleep instantly. Then we explore the city that is actually very beautiful - it is worthy to walk it for hours.
Pasi, me and Antonio in Edimbrá
The best walk we made was designed by Antonio. We were in Calton Hill, in the Parliament and we went to the top of a hill that are in front of the Parliament known as Arthur's Seat.
The Friday, we took a bus to Glasgow where Edu was waiting (or he should be) for us. Finally, we met and he was showing us some city places like the cathedral, the university and his accommodation. Ah! and his friend Ian, that is in one of the next photos.
They were lots of people wearing kilt because the same day was an important rugby match against the British.
On Saturday we three were in a guided bus trip through the Highlands. Lots of places, different landscapes, frequent stops to see a beautiful valley or a monument or a lake... In one of the pauses we tried some of the famous haggis.
We were in the Ness Lake and in fact Antonio and me cross it by ship. Finally, we found Nessy.
We had some relaxed time at Antonio's place the rest of the time, chatting and watching a movie and that was also good. If you think in the number of hours that that week we were in a bus, you will realize how tired of bus I was.
And this is the last photo, just before saying goodbye and return to the daily study basis that we (usually) have at Belfast.
PS: You can read different points of view about this travel in Pasi's, Antonio's and Edu's blog. And also a subsequent visit of Antonio to Edu.
Our flight was a Dublin-Edinburgh at 6:30 a.m. So we were traveling the whole night.
When we're just landed, Tonecas guided us to his house in which he lives with a lot of people. But it doesn't matter because it's a big building and his room is really good: two beds, own bathroom, own refrigerator...
A great luxury compared with our rooms in Elms Village and its shitty spring mattress. The difference is so big and we were so tired that we fall asleep instantly. Then we explore the city that is actually very beautiful - it is worthy to walk it for hours.
Pasi, me and Antonio in Edimbrá
The best walk we made was designed by Antonio. We were in Calton Hill, in the Parliament and we went to the top of a hill that are in front of the Parliament known as Arthur's Seat.
The Friday, we took a bus to Glasgow where Edu was waiting (or he should be) for us. Finally, we met and he was showing us some city places like the cathedral, the university and his accommodation. Ah! and his friend Ian, that is in one of the next photos.
They were lots of people wearing kilt because the same day was an important rugby match against the British.
On Saturday we three were in a guided bus trip through the Highlands. Lots of places, different landscapes, frequent stops to see a beautiful valley or a monument or a lake... In one of the pauses we tried some of the famous haggis.
We were in the Ness Lake and in fact Antonio and me cross it by ship. Finally, we found Nessy.
We had some relaxed time at Antonio's place the rest of the time, chatting and watching a movie and that was also good. If you think in the number of hours that that week we were in a bus, you will realize how tired of bus I was.
And this is the last photo, just before saying goodbye and return to the daily study basis that we (usually) have at Belfast.
PS: You can read different points of view about this travel in Pasi's, Antonio's and Edu's blog. And also a subsequent visit of Antonio to Edu.
Monday, 7 January 2008
Flashbacks: Newcastle
Next flashback. After the Halloween day, the next remarkable activity was our trip to Newcastle, a really small and surrounded by nature village located in the county Down, Northern Ireland. And no, you're probably wrong. The football team is from the other Newcastle in Britain.
Bigger map
Just by chance, that day almost all the people had different plans or they weren't interested and, finally, only Ilkka and me actually visited the place.
One of the first thing we saw was this impressive building. Non surprisely, it is a luxury hotel.
After that we looked for the tourist information office. During the walk we realised how small is Newcastle. In five minutes, we traversed most of it! By the way we realised that there are a lot of slot machine places. When I asked about it to the girl at the tourist office she gave us an inexpected explanation: Newcastle is like a beach resort in NI, but you can't swim most of the time even in the summer, and the people play slot machines.
There is a modern monument on the beach. Nothing special, but I took the most artistic photo in there. The title is "Ilkka and the end of the tunnel".
In my opinion, the best of Newcastle is the environment, not the beach. Ilkka and me agreed that Spain is much better for beach and sun tourism. We weren't equipped to make a really long walk in the mount, so we walked a small route in the North of the village.
Ilkka and me supporting the nature
A final detail about Newcastle: the graveyard. They are really beautiful celtic crosses as you can see.
Bigger map
Just by chance, that day almost all the people had different plans or they weren't interested and, finally, only Ilkka and me actually visited the place.
One of the first thing we saw was this impressive building. Non surprisely, it is a luxury hotel.
After that we looked for the tourist information office. During the walk we realised how small is Newcastle. In five minutes, we traversed most of it! By the way we realised that there are a lot of slot machine places. When I asked about it to the girl at the tourist office she gave us an inexpected explanation: Newcastle is like a beach resort in NI, but you can't swim most of the time even in the summer, and the people play slot machines.
There is a modern monument on the beach. Nothing special, but I took the most artistic photo in there. The title is "Ilkka and the end of the tunnel".
In my opinion, the best of Newcastle is the environment, not the beach. Ilkka and me agreed that Spain is much better for beach and sun tourism. We weren't equipped to make a really long walk in the mount, so we walked a small route in the North of the village.
Ilkka and me supporting the nature
A final detail about Newcastle: the graveyard. They are really beautiful celtic crosses as you can see.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
[Free|London] Derry visit
Yesterday, we visited a little and pretty city name Derry. It is really near the border with the Republic of Ireland and its history it's a good example of the history of the whole Northern Ireland.
The bus trip to Derry it's quite long and we wanted to make most so we got up early in the morning. Our departure was at 9:30 am - very early for a Sunday!
One of the special things of this city is that the whole walls are well preserved - they have even cannons!
In fact, one side of the city wall splits the traditional catholic and protestant areas. In front of the walls there a place known as Freederry with a lot of pro-catholic murals. Over the walls, cannons guard the protestant positions. Here all the murals are of the same community, not like in Belfast.
In this area one can see graffiti and symbols pro-RIRA and other stuff related.
In the middle of that place, even the streetlight have political messages! For example, the Irish flag colours. I found in one streetlight a pro-Catalonia-independence label. In that moment I was thinking "Wow, it should be the only thing like that in that city and I found it".
But I was very wrong! There are one full mural of that. I am yet freaking out...
One local man told us that the inauguration of a new mural it was going to be in 10 minutes when we were leaving from that place. Then the situation became weirder and weirder... We and other 20 local people were waiting in front of a Che Guevara mural that was inaugurated by the Cuban ambassador.
We made more things also. We visited the one church, the Tower Museum and the Linen Hall Bar.
The museum visit was 2 quids (student fare) and it was worthy. Half of the museum explain the history of the city related with the Irish and British people. One friendly employee guided us in that part. Their explanations were very interesting and funny. He also took our "family photo" in the roof of the tower and told us about the Linen Hall Bar. Thank you pal!
The rest of the museum is an interactive travel to the Trinidad Valencera, a Spanish ship of the Armada Invencible that was defeat in Derry.
It was definitely a great day!
(And we used the dance pad when we was back at home ;)
The bus trip to Derry it's quite long and we wanted to make most so we got up early in the morning. Our departure was at 9:30 am - very early for a Sunday!
One of the special things of this city is that the whole walls are well preserved - they have even cannons!
In fact, one side of the city wall splits the traditional catholic and protestant areas. In front of the walls there a place known as Freederry with a lot of pro-catholic murals. Over the walls, cannons guard the protestant positions. Here all the murals are of the same community, not like in Belfast.
In this area one can see graffiti and symbols pro-RIRA and other stuff related.
Caution RIRA
RIRA graffiti in the roof of a funerary (and Finnish tourists).
In the middle of that place, even the streetlight have political messages! For example, the Irish flag colours. I found in one streetlight a pro-Catalonia-independence label. In that moment I was thinking "Wow, it should be the only thing like that in that city and I found it".
But I was very wrong! There are one full mural of that. I am yet freaking out...
One local man told us that the inauguration of a new mural it was going to be in 10 minutes when we were leaving from that place. Then the situation became weirder and weirder... We and other 20 local people were waiting in front of a Che Guevara mural that was inaugurated by the Cuban ambassador.
"Before" and "after".
Elocuent and non understandable words of the ambassador.
We made more things also. We visited the one church, the Tower Museum and the Linen Hall Bar.
The museum visit was 2 quids (student fare) and it was worthy. Half of the museum explain the history of the city related with the Irish and British people. One friendly employee guided us in that part. Their explanations were very interesting and funny. He also took our "family photo" in the roof of the tower and told us about the Linen Hall Bar. Thank you pal!
The rest of the museum is an interactive travel to the Trinidad Valencera, a Spanish ship of the Armada Invencible that was defeat in Derry.
It was definitely a great day!
(And we used the dance pad when we was back at home ;)
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